The 26th Annual General Meeting of the Chemical Society of the Department of Chemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was held on the 12th of January, 2023 at the C1 Lecture Theater from 3.30 p.m. onwards. The ceremony was presided over by Prof. Champa Jayaweera, Head of the Department of Chemistry, lecturers, demonstrators, and students of the Department of Chemistry.
With the lighting of the oil lamp followed by the singing of the University Anthem, the Annual General Meeting commenced. Notably, the 20th Edition of ‘The Crucible’ Magazine, the Annual Magazine published by the Chemical Society, was launched during the ceremony by the junior editor, Ms. Prasadi Attanayake on behalf of the editor, Mrs. Charitha Janaki. Another key event was the presenting of the ‘Award of Academic Excellence’ to students (of the last three batches) who had secured the highest chemistry GPA by the end of their second year. The award recipients were Ms. Thepuni Kaluarachchi, Ms. Sachini Deshapriya and Ms. Nipuni Dehigampala for academic years 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively.
Dr. Lalinda Palliyaguru was appointed as the Senior Treasurer of the Chemical Society for the year 2022/2023 by Prof. Champa Jayaweera. The previous two tenures of the society were spearheaded by Dr. Isurika Fernando, former Senior Treasurer of the Chemical Society under the guidance of the chief advisors, Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda, former Head of the Department of Chemistry, and afterwards under the guidance of Prof. Champa Jayaweera.
The new office bearers for the year 2022/2023 were Mr. Ravindu Jayasinghe (President), Ms. Dulanjali Gamage (Secretary), Mr. Chandima Ruwanthilake (Vice-President), Ms. Nirmani Perera
(Coordinating Secretary), Ms. Anupama Buddhipala (Junior Treasurer), Ms. Sonia Palihakkarage (Media Coordinator), Ms. Prasadi Attanayake (Editor), Ms. Minduli Perera (Junior Editor), Mr. Hirusha Liyanage and Ms. Ineesha Piumali (Editorial Board members), and the committee members were: Ms. Imesha Ratnayake (Chemistry Honours Part 2), Ms. Aveesha Vithanage ( Industrial Honors Part 2), Ms. Punsarasi Kannangara (Chemistry Honours Part 1), Ms. Nirmani Perera (Industrial Honors Part 1), Mr. Lakshan Chathuranga and Mr. Dilranga Rathnayake (General degree 3rd year), Mr. Lakshan Dharmawansha and Mr. Kavindu Lochana (General degree 2nd year), Mr. Pujitha Alagiyawanna and Mr. Chamindu Kanishka (General degree 1st year).
The office bearers for the previous tenure were awarded with certificates of appreciation. They were Mr. Naveen Tharaka (President), Ms. Manesha Fernando (Secretary), Mr. Ravindu Jayasinghe (Vice-President), Ms. Dulanjali Gamage (Coordinating Secretary), Mr. Sandeep Hemachandra (Junior Treasurer), Mrs. Charitha Janaki (Editor), Ms. Prasadi Attanayake (Junior Editor), Ms. Christeen Nimalka and Mrs. Shanika Prasadini (Editorial Board members), Mr. Pasindu Viduranga (Media Coordinator), Ms. Samitha Ranasinghe (Chemistry Honours Part 2), Mrs. Vihanga Samindi (Industrial Honors Part 2), Ms. Anupama Buddhipala (Chemistry Honours Part 1), Ms. Aveesha Vithanage (Industrial Honors Part 1), Mr. Jeeshan Gunathunga and Mr. Ushan Madushanka (General degree 3rd year), Mr. Isuru Dananjaya and Mr. Malsha Sandaruwan (General degree 2nd year), Mr. Kavindu Lochana and Mr. Kavith Malshan (General degree 1st year).
Furthermore, an amendment to the constitution was brought forth by Prof. Champa Jayaweera. In addition, Prof. Pahan Godakumbura curated a session to pool new ideas and suggestions for the upcoming year. It was indeed a memorable ceremony with the participation of a large crowd which indeed marked the beginnings of yet another extraordinary journey in the effort towards ‘bringing chemistry closer to the lives of chemistry undergraduates’.
Written by: Manesha Bernadette Fernando